Do I had booked my car in for its timing belts, chains, pulleys etc. I booked it in provisionally for Monday and was told I would get a call today with a reminder and the price. I got the price alright, £1475!

Seriously, I expected about 800 to 1k max but not that much! So I called them back after I picked myself up off the chair and politely cancelled my visit.

Called up an indie who gave me a rough cost of 400 and he gave me a full price of 600-700 quid instead.

Yeah I made the change lol.

All guaranteed and using quality if not genuine parts

I'm happy with that offer. Save myself half the bill easily!

I had a very similar experience recently and mine was for swing arm bushes, timing belt, water pump and front brake pads, rear brake shoes from my local Ford dealership. After getting the quote, for the first time, I switched and got my car booked at the local indie garage. Their quote was about 1/3 of the price and used good quality parts. Since then, I have returned to the local indie garage for further aftermarket parts fitment and would trust him with my car.

I have to say though that my local Ford dealership have been very good to me over the last 2 years and the level of service is exceptional. Recently, I had been having issues with a tyre losing air and the car went back to them a few times, where it was fixed for free as that's part of the deal servicing the car with them. They fix a puncture for free if it happens in between services. Plus, with the Ford Motorcraft deal, the service cost €129, which is decent when considering. I still will bring the car there for the service but due to the cost of parts/labour, will get repairs done by the local indie garage.

I had a very similar experience recently and mine was for swing arm bushes, timing belt, water pump and front brake pads, rear brake shoes from my local Ford dealership. After getting the quote, for the first time, I switched and got my car booked at the local indie garage. Their quote was about 1/3 of the price and used good quality parts. Since then, I have returned to the local indie garage for further aftermarket parts fitment and would trust him with my car.

I have to say though that my local Ford dealership have been very good to me over the last 2 years and the level of service is exceptional. Recently, I had been having issues with a tyre losing air and the car went back to them a few times, where it was fixed for free as that's part of the deal servicing the car with them. They fix a puncture for free if it happens in between services. Plus, with the Ford Motorcraft deal, the service cost €129, which is decent when considering. I still will bring the car there for the service but due to the cost of parts/labour, will get repairs done by the local indie garage.

hmmm do you have to buy the car from the dealer to avail of the 129euro deal or can it be any ford car... as my last service cost 230euro

hmmm do you have to buy the car from the dealer to avail of the 129euro deal or can it be any ford car... as my last service cost 230euro

It's part of the Motorcraft service offered by all Ford dealerships for any Ford car 5 years or over. They also have something similar for Seat cars in the dealership I bring my car too as it's a Ford and Seat dealer. I think it's not a bad deal considering.

http://www.ford.ie/FordService/FordMotorcraft

James for 1475 quid I will drive down to Kent, take the engine out and bring it home to do the timing belt/chain :lol: and of course return it

what garage you take it because some have to work towards targets

Stef, if I hadn't found the local garage I probably would have offered the job to you lol

As for the garage it was trust ford in Gillingham.

It's part of the Motorcraft service offered by all Ford dealerships for any Ford car 5 years or over.

SOME Ford dealerships... not all by any means, sadly.

My local Ford dealers do not participate in the Motorcraft servicing offer.

its for 4yr+ cars not 5yr+ also.

SOME Ford dealerships... not all by any means, sadly.

My local Ford dealers do not participate in the Motorcraft servicing offer.

That's a real shame as over here in Ireland as far as I can tell most of them are doing it.